Dilemma: Abu Simbel, Sharm El Sheikh & Wadi Rum VS Jerash & Amman?
 

Because of unreasonble time limits (I hate that I have to work for a living) we do not have enough time to do everything we want in our 9 day trip to Egypt and Jordan. After Cairo/Giza, we must make a choice. Either:

1. To Luxor for 2 days, then fly to Cairo, then Amman, spend a day in Amman then Jerash, then Petra;

OR

2. To Aswan, Abu Simbel, only one day in Luxor, then 2 nts/1 day in Sharm El Sheikh, overland to Wadi Rum, then Petra.

The first one is appealing because it is more time in Luxor and we also get to see Jerash and Amman. However, we love the idea of swimming/snorkeling, and our son wans to see Abu Simbel. What to do? Emphasis is on history and culture.

I'd love to hear some opinions on this dilemma. If you're planning to just scold me for not finding a way to do all of it, please save it! I know!

Having just done this trip with my own family in late December,my older kids LOVED Abu Simbel and Aswan(we flew both ways).Jerash is very interesting but seriously you do not need that much time in Amman proper as it is a regular big city with just a few sightseeing options-the national museum is NOT open contrary to what Rough Guide says(possibly later this year).
Luxor is extremely touristy! We loved the Valley of the Kings,Luxor Temple(we did it at dusk which was fabulous) and Kernak Temples and if you think that you can squeeze it all in I would definitely add in Abu Simbel which is really amazing.(If you can plan your stay to be there after 930am when the tour caravans leave you are truly alone with the guards only which is magical.
Jerash can be done in a couple of hours.
For our family-suggestion 2 would be more preferred!

Thank you so much for this information. So do you think it is better to fly Aswan to Abu Simbel and back?

My son will be thrilled. He really wanted to see Abu Simbel. Any other tips you have would be much appreciated. Did you do a trip report?

I replied to your other post. Look there for details.

With young people along, do not pass up snorkeling in the Red Sea at Sharm, you all will love it! It was a highlight for us and we are divers of 30 years standing and have dived and snorkeled all over the world at great sites, but this is the best!

Also you can see all you will want to at Luxor with one day, see our trip report and pictures... for details go to your other post.

For more detail on our stops at Cairo, Luxor, Sharm and Petra with pictures go to our trip report:

www.aroundtheworldin132days.blogspot.com

Click on April on the righthand side then scroll down to April 24 for Luxor; April 26 for Petra; April 27 for Sharm and April 28 for our day in Cairo. This may give you some more ideas on what is important to you.

Hope this helps. Your trip sounds great. Have a good time!

One of the reasons that we decided to let an agency help with our trip to Egypt and Jordan was the problems of getting the airfare cheaper. Lady Egypt got our flights from Cairo to Aswan;Aswan to Abu Simbel(sit on the left side going in to see them)and then Abu Simbel back to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo to Amman. The tour people seem to be able to get a better deal on these flights than most of us can (and I work for a major airline!).
I asked on another of your threads if you were living in Chicago because if you are I live in the Northwest suburbs(think where Marlon Brando was living and Weil Olds?). I would be happy to answer any questions if you are interested?

CWN - what a fabulous blog. You obviously had an amazing trip... and so long.. wow!